JPS62146871A - Sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily cope with the change of discharge position of a recording paper in an image recording apparatus by installing an elevation member in free elevation in the vicinity of a plurality of bins and installing a temporary nipping member for recording paper and a paper discharge roller onto the elevation member. CONSTITUTION:When a recording paper P is sent between receiving rollers 6 and 7 from the paper discharge roller 4 of an electronic copying machine 2, said receiving rollers 6 and 7 send the recording paper P towards the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21. When a paper sensor detects the top edge of the recording paper P, the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 (also used as nipping member) are turned to the direction for sending the recording paper P towards bins 9 for a prescribed time from the above- described detection time point, and the top edge of the recording paper P is nipped, and the receiving rollers 6 and 7 stop. Then, an elevation member 10 and the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 move towards the selected bin 9 to be used, and stops at the position corresponding to the selected bin 9. At this time, the speed of the movement of the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 is set nearly equal to the discharge speed of the recording paper P on the paper discharge roller 4 of the electronic copying machine 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a no-goo system for sorting recording paper discharged from an image recording apparatus such as an electronic copying machine or a printer into a plurality of bins.

PRIOR ART Conventionally, no-goo has been constructed using a plurality of bins arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, a belt arranged near these bins to convey the recording paper upward or downward, and this belt. A recording paper conveying means comprising a suction fan or the like that sucks the recording paper, an elevating member disposed between the recording paper conveying means and the bin so as to be able to move up and down, an elevating drive means for raising and lowering the elevating member, and the above-mentioned a direction switching member disposed on the elevating member to direct the moving direction of the recording paper being moved by the recording paper conveying means toward the bin; There is a known device that includes a pair of paper ejection rollers that eject recording paper into a bin.

However, with this no-goo, it is necessary to change the conveyance direction of the recording paper of the recording paper conveyance means depending on the height and the height of the recording paper ejection position of the image recording device, and to change the configuration of the direction switching member accordingly. , and has the disadvantage of a complicated configuration.

OBJECT It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorter that can easily accommodate changes in the recording paper ejection position of an image recording apparatus and has a simple configuration.

Structure The present invention provides a plurality of bins arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, an elevating member disposed near the bins so as to be movable up and down, and an elevating drive means for elevating the elevating member. The recording paper holding means is arranged on the elevating member and temporarily holds the fed recording paper, and a pair of paper ejection rollers are arranged on the elevating member and ejects the recording paper into a bin. Then, with the elevating member waiting at a predetermined position and the recording paper being fed being held by the recording paper holding means, the elevating member is brought to the predetermined position at a speed that is approximately the same as the ejection speed of the recording paper of the image recording apparatus. After moving forward, the recording paper is discharged into a bin by a paper discharge roller, and then the elevating member is moved back to its original predetermined position.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a sorter.

An electronic copying machine 2 is arranged adjacent to the exterior plate 11 of the sorter l. On the exterior plate 2a of this electronic copying machine 2,
A paper discharge port 3 for discharging recording paper P is formed on the side of the sorter 1. A pair of paper ejection rollers 4 are arranged inside the exterior plate 2a near the paper ejection port 3.

A paper receiving port 5 is formed in the exterior plate 1aK of the sorter 1, facing the paper discharge port 3 of the exterior plate 2a of the electronic copying machine 2. A pair of receiving rollers 6.7 are arranged inside the exterior plate 1a near the paper receiving opening 50. These receiving rollers 6 , 7 are pressed together, and one receiving roller 7 is rotated by receiving roller drive means 8 . This receiving roller driving means 8 includes a motor 8a fixed to the exterior plate 1a,
A pulley 8C fixed to the drive shaft 8b of the motor 8a and a boo IJ8 fixed to the rotation shaft 7a of the receiving roller 7.
d, and a belt 8e that is hooked around these pulleys 8c and 8d.

A plurality of bins 9 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction on the side of the receiving roller 6.7 in the feeding direction of the recording paper P. These bottles 9 are supported by the exterior plate 1a, and most of the bottles 90 extend outward from the opening of the exterior plate 1a.

Between the receiving roller 6.7 and the bin 9, an elevating member 10 is arranged near the bin 9 so as to be movable up and down. A paper guide member 11' for guiding the recording paper P is arranged between the receiving roller 6.7 and the elevating member 1o. The elevating member 10 is raised and lowered by an elevating drive means 12. This lifting/lowering drive means 12 includes two pairs of pulleys 12a and 12b arranged above and below, and a rotating shaft 12 of the upper pulley 12a.
A step motor 12d that can be rotated in forward and reverse directions and is placed near C, and a drive shaft 12e of this step motor 12d.
A worm gear 12f is fixed to the worm gear 12f, and when the worm gear 12f meshes with the rotating shaft 1 of the republic pulley 12a,
2CK fixed gear 12g and the above pulley 12
A pair of wires 1 which are attached to F'2b and to which both side plates 10a of the elevating member 10 are fixed.
It consists of 2 hours.

Both ends of the rotating shaft 12C912i of the pulleys I2a, 12b are supported by bearings fixed to the exterior plate 1a. The step motor 12d is fixed to the exterior plate 1aK.

The elevating member 10 includes both side plates 10a and a holding plate 10b integrally fixed to these plates.

Two guide members 10c and 10d for guiding the recording paper P sent from the receiving roller 6.7 are disposed on the side plates 10a and the holding plate 10b.

As shown in the fourth factor, the guide member 10d17m has two supporting members 13 protruding from it. These supporting members 1
Bearings 14 are disposed in the elongated holes of 3 so as to be movable up and down by a short distance, and a rotating shaft 15a of a paper discharge roller 15 is supported by these bearings 14.
A holding member 16 is provided protrudingly from d, and this holding member 1
6 holds a spring 17 that presses the rotating shaft 15ai of the paper ejection roller 15 downward.

The guide member 10d is also provided with two supporting members 18 protruding from the one-way clutch 1.
9 and a bearing 20 are provided, and a rotating shaft 21a of a paper discharge roller 21 is supported by the one-way clutch 19 and bearing 20. This paper ejection roller 21 is rotated by a paper ejection roller driving means 22. This paper discharge roller [m means 22 includes a motor 22a fixed to the holding plate 10bK of the elevating member IO, and a drive shaft 22 of this motor 22a.
It consists of a pulley 22c fixed to bK, a pulley 22d fixed to the rotating shaft 21H of the paper discharge roller 21 so as to face the pulley 22C, and a belt 22e hooked around these pulleys 22C and 22d. The one-way clutch 19 does not prevent the paper ejection roller 21 from rotating in the direction in which the recording paper P is sent to the bin 9, and the paper ejection roller 21 rotates in the opposite direction to the direction in which the recording paper Pi is sent to the bin 9. prevent them from doing so.

Between the paper ejection roller 15.21 and the receiving roller 6.7 and near the paper ejection rollers 15, 21, there is a recording paper P=j
A paper sensor 23 for detecting i7 is arranged. This paper sensor 23 consists of a photosensor, and the guide member 10 (i
is fixed. A roller standby position sensor 2 detects that the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 are placed in a standby position to receive the recording paper P sent by the receiving roller 6.7.
4 is placed in a predetermined position. The roller standby position sensor 24 is a photosensor, and detects that the ejection rollers 15 and 21 are placed in the standby position by detecting that the side plate 10a of the elevating member 10 is placed in a predetermined position.

When the recording paper P is sent from the paper discharge roller 4 of the electronic copying machine 2 between the receiving rollers 6.7, the receiving roller 6.7 sends the recording paper P in the direction of the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21. In this case, the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 are waiting in a non-rotating state at a standby position for receiving the recording paper Pi (in the illustrated embodiment, a position corresponding to the lowest bin 9).The above-mentioned paper sensor 23 detects the leading edge of the recording paper P, the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 move the recording paper P for a short predetermined period from this point on.
is rotated in the direction of feeding the recording paper P to the bin 9, and stops while clamping the leading end of the recording paper P.

When the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 grip the recording paper P, the elevating member 10 and the paper ejection roller 15, 21 move forward in the direction of the selected bin 9 to be used, and reach a position corresponding to the selected bin 9. Stop at.

When the elevating member 10 and the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 move forward, the paper discharge roller 21 is prevented from rotating in the direction opposite to the direction in which the recording paper is sent to the Pi bin 9 by the one-way clutch 19. The paper P never comes off from the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21.

The forward movement speed of the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 when moving forward to the selected bin 9 is the same as the ejection speed of the recording paper P of the paper ejection roller 4 of the electronic copying machine 2. Almost the same – generally defined. This is the paper ejection roller 15, 2
This is to prevent the recording paper P from being detached from the paper ejection roller 15.degree. 21 due to unnecessary resistance acting on the recording paper P when the recording paper P moves forward.

When the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 are placed at positions corresponding to the selected bin 9, the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 are rotated to eject the recording paper P to the bin 9, and the paper sensor 23
After a short predetermined period of time has elapsed from the time when the recording paper P detects the trailing edge of the recording paper P, the rotation of the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 is stopped. At the same time, the elevating member 10 and the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 are moved back to the standby position. This elevating member 10 and paper ejection roller 15°21
When moving backward, the elevating member 10 and the paper ejection roller 15
.
It may be thicker than the feeding speed of the recording paper P.

FIG. 5 shows the operation display panel 25 disposed on the upper surface of the exterior plate 2a of the electronic copying machine 2, which will be explained next.

The operation prompt panel 25 has a message indicating that the power is 1k ON or OFF.
A power key 26 to turn the FF, a power indicator 27 to display whether the power is ON or OFF, a start key 28 to start copying, a number of originals set key 29 to set the number of originals, and this number of originals set key 29 to set the number of originals. O
Original sheet number set indicator 30 that displays whether or not it has been marked N.
, a copy number set key 31 for setting the number of copies.
A number-of-one-copy set indicator 32 that displays whether the number-of-one-copy set key 31 is turned on, a numeric keypad 33 that inputs the number of originals or the number of copies, and a numeric keypad 33 that clears the input value using the numeric keypad 33 and stops copying. Clear stop key 34, original set number display 35 that displays the number of originals set, original number executed display 36 that displays the number of originals that have been copied, and copy set number display 37 that displays the number of copies that have been set. , a copy execution number display 38 for displaying the number of sheets of recording paper P on which copying has been performed, a count mode key 39 for selecting the count mode, and a count mode set5. A stack mode indicator 40 for displaying whether the stack mode is set, a stack mode key 41 for setting the stack mode, a stack mode display 42 for displaying whether the stack mode is set, etc. are provided.

When the number of original sheets set key 29 is pressed ONL and then input using the numeric keypad 33, the number of originals set is input.
If you enter , the number of copies set will be entered. The above print mode means that multiple recording sheets P are stored in separate bins 9 and 9.
This refers to the mode in which the fuel is discharged. The above-mentioned stack mode refers to a mode in which a plurality of recording sheets P are sequentially discharged into a plurality of bins 9 in accordance with the maximum number of sheets stored in each bin 9 .

FIG. 6 shows the control device for the sorter 1 described above, which will be explained next.

The paper sensor 23, roller standby position sensor 24, power key 26, start key 28, original number set key 29,
Information such as the copy number set key 31, numeric keypad 33, print mode key 39 and stack mode key 41 is given to the input board of the micro convenience store 43.

The general AMK of the micro combinator 43 is provided with a document sheet number set counter, a copy set sheet number counter, a total copy set sheet number counter, a discharge sheet number counter, a print mode flag, a used bin number counter, and a lift flag. The above-mentioned mode mode flag becomes "1" when mode key 39f: ONt, and
When the stack mode key 41eONL is pressed, it becomes "0". The used bin number counter counts the number of pins used in the print mode, and has the same value as the copy set number counter. The above lift flag is
It is set to "1" when the elevating member 10 is raised, and is set to "0" when the elevating member 10 is lowered.

The output port of the microcomputer 43 is connected to the receiving roller drive means 8, the elevating drive means 12, the paper ejection roller drive means 22, and the like.

An example of the operation of the sorter 1 described above will be described in detail based on FIG. 7 and the eighth factor. The flow shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is for a case where the standby position (home position) of the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 for receiving the recording paper P is a position corresponding to the lowest bin 9.゛The ON signal of the power key 26 is activated by the micro combiator 4.
3, the ROM of the microcomputer 43
The program shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, which is stored in the computer, executes the operations accordingly. FIG. 7 shows the main routine of the flow, and FIG. 8 shows the subroutine of the flow.

First, perform initial settings in step ①. In this initial setting, the RAM and input/output ports of the micro combinator 43 are cleared.

Next, in step (2), it is checked whether the start key 28 is ON. Start key 28 is turned on in step ■
If it is determined that this is the case, the receiving roller drive means 8 is turned ON in step (2), and then the bin 9 selected in this bin selection routine is passed through the bin selection routine in step (2).
In response to this, the ON time of the lifting drive means 12 is set in step ⑛.

Next, in step (2), it is checked whether the paper sensor 23 is ON or not. If it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is ON in this step (2), that is, if the paper sensor 23 detects the leading edge of the recording paper P, the paper ejection roller driving means 2
2 is turned on, it is checked in step (2) whether tx≧t1. The paper sensor 23 is ON for this tx.
tl is the elapsed time from the time when the paper sensor 23 is turned on (the time when the paper ejection roller driving means 22 is turned on), and the paper ejection roller 15° 21 is the recording paper P.
This is the predetermined time required to clamp the tip of the

If it is determined that tx≧t1 in the above step (■), the paper ejection roller driving means 22 is turned off in step (2), and the elevation flag is set to "1" in step [phase].
As the elevating drive means 12 = iON, the paper ejection rollers 15, 2
1 goes up (forward movement). Next, in step @, output roller 1
5 and 21 have reached the bin 9 selected in the use bin selection routine of step (■), that is, whether or not the lifting drive means 12 has been turned ON for the ON time of the lifting driving means 12 set in step (■). Check whether or not.

If it is determined in step @ that the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 have not reached the selected bin 9, the process returns to step (2) and the elevating drive means 12 is held ON.

In step @, the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 are selected and the bin 9 is
If it is determined that the
2t OFF, and the paper ejection roller driving means 22ft is turned ON in step ①, and then the paper sensor 23 is turned on in step @.
is OFF.

If it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is OFF in the above step @, that is, if the paper sensor 23 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper P, the [discharged sheet number counter] is set to +1 in step [phase], and then ty is determined in step O. Check whether ≧t2. This ty is step @ and the paper sensor 23 is 01i
"P" is the elapsed time from the last name point, and t2 is the record that is ejected by the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 after the paper sensor 23 is judged to be OFF in step [phase]. This is the predetermined time required until the paper P is detached from the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21.

If it is determined that ty≧t2 in step ◎ above, the paper ejection roller driving means 22t is turned OFF in step [phase],
In step [phase], the elevation flag is set to "0", and in step [phase], the elevation drive means 12 is turned on to lower the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 (backward movement). At the next busy step ◎, it is checked whether the roller standby position sensor 24 is ON. If it is determined in step (2) that the roller standby position sensor 24 is not ON, the process returns to step [phase] and the lifting drive means 12 is held ON.

If it is determined that the roller standby position sensor 24 is ON in step (3) above, the lifting drive means 12 is turned OFF in step O.
After placing the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 in the standby position as F, in step 0, [total copy set sheet number counter] = [
Check whether the output sheet number counter is 1 or not. In this step [phase], [total copy set number counter] = [
If it is determined that it is not the ejected sheet number counter], the process returns to step (2).

In step [phase], [total copy set number counter] = [
If it is determined that the number of ejected sheets is the number of sheets ejected, the operation is stopped.

Next, the usage bin selection routine shown in the eighth factor will be explained.

First, in step [phase], it is checked whether or not [tone mode flag]=1. If it is determined that [tone mode flag) = 1 in this step [phase], that is, if it is determined that the tone is in mode, then in step [phase] 1% - MaN = a (however, O Find N and a in the following steps. Here, pa is the value of the paper discharge counter, Ma is the value of the used bin number counter, and N and a are 0 or positive integers. Step [ Based on a obtained in step [phase], the (a+1)th bin 9t from the bottom - the bin 9 to be used is selected in step [phase], and then the process returns to the main routine.

If it is determined that [NT mode flag] is not 1 in the above step [phase], then in step [phase] Pa-MbQ=b(
Find Q and bt- in the family name (0≦b≦Mb).

Here, Mb is the maximum number of recording sheets P that can be stored in one bin 9, and Q, b and Q are O or a positive integer. Based on the Q obtained in step O, in step [phase], the (Q+1)th bin 9 from the bottom is selected as the bin 9 to be used, and then the process returns to the main routine.

'In the embodiment described above, the paper ejection roller 15.21
A recording paper clamping means 44 that clamps the recording paper P when the recording paper P moves forward to the selected bin 9 moves the leading end of the recording paper P to the paper discharge roller 1.
It is configured to be held between 5 and 21 itself, but the 9th
As shown in the figure, recording paper holding means 44 may be provided separately from the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 to temporarily clamp the leading end of the recording paper P inserted into the paper ejection rollers 15, 21. This recording paper holding means 44 includes two elastic holding pieces 4 that are fixed to the lower surface of the guide member 10d and can be easily elastically deformed.
4a, and two renoids 4 which are fixed to the upper surface of the guide member 10d and are displaced downward by the actuator 44b through the hole of the guide member 10d.
It consists of 4C.

The elastic holding piece 44a is spaced a sufficient distance K11l from the guide member 10C when the rendoid 44e is OFF, and is arranged so as not to interfere with the movement of the recording paper P. When the recording paper P is sandwiched between the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 and the leading end of the recording paper P reaches between the elastic clamping piece 44a and the guide member 10d, the renoid 44cQO
When set to N, actuator 44b of lensoid 44c
displaces the elastic clamping piece 44a downward, and this elastic clamping piece 4
4a presses the recording paper P against the guide member 10d and clamps the recording paper P′f: between the guide member 10d.

Note that the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 are placed in a standby position (home position) for receiving the recording paper Pi so as to correspond to the paper ejection port 3 of the electronic copying machine 2 and to correspond to one of the plurality of bins 9.
can be set.

Further, the present invention can be applied to the case of classifying recording paper of an image recording device such as a printer.

Effects The printer of the present invention can easily respond to changes in the recording paper ejection position of the image recording apparatus, and has a simple configuration.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a computer according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the main parts of the above-mentioned computer, FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away front view showing the main parts of the same computer, and FIG. 4 Figure 5 is a partially cut-away side view showing the main parts of the same computer, Figure 5 is a plan view showing the operation display panel of the electronic copying machine that discharges recording paper into the same computer, and Figure 6 is a control device for the same computer. A block diagram, FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the above printer, and FIG. 9 is a partially cut away perspective view showing another embodiment of the recording paper holding means of the above printer. 9 is a diagram. 9... Bin, 10... Elevating member, 12... Elevating/lowering drive means, 15.21... Paper ejection roller, 22... Paper ejection roller driving means, 44... Recording. Paper holding means, P...
Recording paper

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of bins arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, an elevating member disposed near the bins so as to be movable up and down, and an elevating drive means for elevating the elevating member.
The recording paper holding means is arranged on the elevating member and temporarily holds the fed recording paper, and a pair of paper ejection rollers are arranged on the elevating member and ejects the recording paper into a bin. Then, with the elevating member waiting at a predetermined position and the recording paper being fed being held by the recording paper holding means, the elevating member is brought to the predetermined position at a speed that is approximately the same as the ejection speed of the recording paper of the image recording apparatus. 1. A sorter characterized in that after the recording paper is moved forward by a paper ejection roller, the recording paper is ejected into a bin by a paper ejection roller, and then an elevating member is moved back to its original predetermined position.